Information Processing Apparatus Managing a Peripheral Device Connected to a Computer

1. An information processing apparatus connectable to extension units including a plurality of types of peripheral devices insertable into an extension slot, comprising: a first storing unit to store therein a specific function program for the plurality of types of peripheral devices, a plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to the plurality of types of the peripheral devices which are executed when the peripheral devices are in use, and an identification program identifying a type of the peripheral device connected to the information processing apparatus; a specific function program activator configured to activate the specific function program, and a control unit to execute the specific function program, the peripheral device associated programs, and the identification program, wherein one type of a peripheral device includes a drive unit to read information from a second storing unit that stores other plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to other plurality of types of the peripheral devices, and wherein the control unit: compares a type of a currently connected peripheral device with a type of a currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, when the currently usable peripheral device is replaced with the currently connected peripheral device, requests insertion of the drive unit into the extension slot and stores in the first storing unit, when the type of the currently connected peripheral device does not coincide with the type of the currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, from the second storing unit inserted in the drive unit, a peripheral device associated program associated with the currently connected peripheral device, and configures activating the peripheral device associated program associated with the currently connected peripheral device, in response to the specific function program activator.

2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , where the control unit deletes, from the first storing unit, any of the peripheral device associated programs that are not associated with the currently connected peripheral.

3. A computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer connectable to extension units including a plurality of types of peripheral devices insertable into an extension slot, and having a first storing unit that stores a specific function program for the plurality of types of peripheral devices, a plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to the plurality of types of the peripheral devices which are executed when the peripheral devices are in use, and an identification program identifying a type of the peripheral device connected to the computer, and having a drive unit as one type of a peripheral device and configured to read information from a second storing unit that stores other plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to other plurality of types of the peripheral devices, to execute: configuring a specific function program activator to activate the specific function program; comparing a type of a currently connected peripheral device with a type of a currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, when the currently usable peripheral device is replaced with the currently connected peripheral device; storing in the first storing unit, when the type of the currently connected peripheral device does not coincide with the type of the currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, from the second storing unit inserted in the drive unit, a peripheral device associated program associated with the currently connected peripheral device; and activating the peripheral device associated program associated with the currently connected peripheral device, in response to the specific function program activator.

4. A computer readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 3 , wherein the program causes the computer to further delete, from the first storing unit, any of the peripheral device associated programs that is not associated with the currently connected peripheral device.

5. An information processing method using a computer connectable to extension units including a plurality of types of peripheral devices insertable into an extension slot, comprising: storing in a first storing unit a specific function program for the plurality of types of peripheral devices, a plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to the plurality of types of the peripheral devices which are executed when the peripheral devices are in use, and an identification program for identifying a type of the peripheral device connected to the computer; providing a drive unit as one type of a peripheral device and configured to read information from a second storing unit that stores other plurality of types of peripheral device associated programs corresponding to other plurality of types of the peripheral devices; configuring an activator for activating the specific function program; and using a computer processor: comparing a type of a currently connected peripheral device with a type of a currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, when the currently usable peripheral device is replaced with the currently connected peripheral device, requesting insertion of the drive unit into the extension slot and storing in the first storing unit, when the type of the currently connected peripheral device does not coincide with the type of the currently usable peripheral device stored in the first storing unit, from the second storing unit inserted in the drive unit, a peripheral device associated program which is associated with the currently connected peripheral device, and configuring activating the peripheral device associated program associated with the currently connected peripheral device, in response to the activator.

6. An information processing method according to claim 5 , further deleting, from the first storing unit, any of the peripheral device associated programs that are not associated with the currently connected peripheral device.